Flashlight



May/13, 1947, w. c. CRIMMlNs 2,420,585

3 FLA-SHLIGHT File sept. 21, 1944 Patented May 13,1947

FLASHLIGHT William C. Crimmins, Marion, Ind., assignor to Delta Electric Company, Marion, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application September 21, 1944, Serial No. 555,061

(Cl. ZOO- 60) 6 Claims.

rlhis invention relates to flashlights and has for its principal object the provision of a flashlight which may be submerged in water without deleteriously affecting the operating characteristics thereof.

Objects of the present invention include the provision of a flashlight in which all operating parts which are liable to be adversely affected flashlight in water, are protected from contact by moisture, as by for instance submersing the with moisture; the provision of a flashlight in which the battery or batteries, lamp bulbs, and contacts in the circuit between the battery or batteries and the lamp bulb, including the switch contacts, are sealed from Contact with water; the provision of a flashlight including a casing containing batteries and a lamp together with switch elements for controlling the circuit to the lamp which are contained within a waterproof casing, and means operable from the exterior of the casing are provided for operating the switch contacts; the provision of a construction as last decribed in which the switch contacts are operated through the medium of a plunger projecting through an opening in the casing, the plunger being sealed to the casing to prevent the passage of moisture between it and the casing; the provision of a switch construction for flashlights in which the seal between the plunger and the casing comprises a washer of rubber-like material sealed at its radially inner margin to the plunger and at its radially outer margin to the casing; the provision of a construction as above described in which the opening in the casing through Which the plunger projects is` stepped whereby to form an annular shoulder for receiving the washer of rubber-like material; the provision of a Construction as last described including spring means cooperating between the Washer of rubber-like material and the plunger constantly urging the plunger toward inoperative position and the washer towards sealing engagement with the casing; and the provision of a construction as above described in which the plunger is provided with a peripheral groove in which the radially inner margins of the washer are received.

The above being among the objects of the present invention the same consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawing, and then claimed, having the above and other objects in View.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates a suitable embodiment of the present invention and in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several different views,

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional View taken diametrically through a flashlight embodying the present invention and showing the switch mechanism in the position in which it is locked against switch operation by radially inward movement of the operating member;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary, sectional view taken in the same plane as Fig. 1 showing the switch operating member in full lines in the same position as in Fig. 1, and in dotted lines in the position in which it s possible to close the switch by radially inward movement of the operating member,

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating the switch operating member in the position in which it assumes when moved to maintain the switch in closed position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; and,

Fig. 5 is a slightly reduced, fragmentary, transverse sectional View taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

The present invention relates to waterproof flashlight constructions in which the circuit t0 the lamp bulb may be controlled by an operating member positioned eXteriorly of the flashlight. Inasmuch as various types of Waterproof casings may be provided it will be appreciated that the feature of the invention relates particularly to the means which permits the circuit to be controlled by a movable member on the exterior of the casing without danger of leakage of water to the interior thereof.

Referring now to the drawing, the particular flashlight construction to which the present invention is shown applied comprises a casing consisting of a main body portion l U of hollow tubular construction open at both ends and formed of electrical insulating material such as, for instance, moldable plastic material, rubber or rubber composition, or the like. The rear end of the casing i0 is closed by an imperforate cap member l2 screw threaded thereon and sealed against leakage with respect to the main body portion l0 by means of a resilient gasket I4 interposed between its forward edge and an annular shoulder IB formed in cooperative relationship with respect thereto on the main body portion I0.

The forward end of the casing lo is, of course, equipped with a transparent closure which may be either of the flat or of a lens type construction emi may 13 secured and sealed to the main body i9 in any suitable manner. In the present case and as is preferable a lens type of closure is shown as comprising a lens portion I3 having formed integrally and concentrically therewith at its periphery a rearwardly directed internally threaded ring portion 23 which is threadably received upon the forward end of the body i6. The ring portion 2d thus serves as a mounting ring for the lens portion lt and being formed integrally therewith is arranged in sealed relation with respect thereto. As in the case of the rear closure 2, a resilient washer 22 is interposed between the rear edge of the ring portion 2=J and an opposed annular shoulder 24 formed on the body l, thus sealing this end ol the body lf3 in a water-tight manner.

A conventional metal reflector 25 provided with a radially outwardly directed annular ange 2b is held in position within the lens and ring assembly lfd-Es by reason of the flange 23 being confined between the forward edge of the body IB and the rear face of the lens portion i8 as shown. The reector 2G is conventionally provided centrally thereof with a rearwardly projecting threaded metallic sleeve 3S fixed thereto in which the base 32 of a lamp bulb 34 is threadably received, the lamp base 32 terminating in a conventional contact A cup-shaped ineinber 38 formed of insulating material is threaded exteriorly over the sleeve vil from the rear end thereof and is centrally provided in its real' wall with a contact il which is electrically connected to the contact 323 of the bulb base 32 by means of a coil spring llzl'held under compression between the contacts and 59. Within the main body lll is positioned one or more conventional flashlight batteries shown as two by way or illustration. The carbon 5 of the outermost battery Il is pressed against the contact il and f the carbon [56 of the rearmost battery 44 is pressed against the bottom of the forward batt-ery by means or" a coil spring il maintained under compression between the bottom of the rearmost battery 41's and the end wall oi the cap l2. The coil spring is preferably of the frusto-conical type, the endincst coil of which at the large end thereof is of a sufcient diameter to be rictionally received by the side walls of the cap i2 adjacent the end wall thereof.

Received within the rear end of the bore of the main body portion l! is a metal ring 5d provided with a radially outwardly directed flange 52 at its rear end which overlies the rear edge of the main body portion l). of the coil spring 4S is provided with an axially and radially inwardly bent free end portion ed which, when the cap l2 is assembled to the main body lli, constantly bears against the ring Sil, thus establishing electrical contact between these two parts.

A strip conductor element 55 which extends longitudinally of the main body lil on the interior thereof is electrically connected at its rear end to the metal ring Eil by means of a rivet The conductor extends forwardly from the rivet 5S and in normally contacting relationship with respect to the bore of the main body lf; at a point approximately in transverse or radial alignment with the shoulder Intermediate its ends it is additionally secured to the inain body id by means of a rivet 69 and forwardly of the rivet B is guided between a pair of inwardly projecting ribs or beads Ei formed integrally with the main body I3. Forwardly of The large turn dil the forward end of the conductor 58 a bracket S2 positioned in the bore of the main body Il] is secured to the main body lll by means of a rivet 54. The bracket 62 is provided with a circumferentially directed extension 65 and a rearward ly directed and radially inwardly offset extension E58. As best brought out in Fig. 4 the extension B5 is not concentric with the bore of the main body l0 but its free end is bent radially inwardly as indicated in Fig. 4 so that when threading the lens ring combination lil- 29 upon the main body l the reflector 25 is forced into yielding engagement with the extension 5, thus to establish electrical contact between them.

4It will be noted that the rearward extension 68 projects down under the free forward edge of the conductor and is normally spaced therefrom, but that when the free forward end of the conductor 56 is iiexed radially inwardly as indicated in Fig. 3 it will contact the extension 58 and thus establish electrical contact between it and the extension S8. This last feature constitutes the electrical switch for the circuit through the lamp 34 and batteries 44. In other words, the extension 6B is electrically connected through the bracket YS3, the extension 65, and reflector 25 to the exterior of the lamp bulb base 32 and which is connected through the lamp filament 34a with the contact 35. The Contact 33 is electrically connected to the spring 42 and contact 4:) with the carbon 45 for the forward battery 44. The bottom of the rear battery M is connected through the spring 48 and its end 54 with the ring 5U and through the rivet 53 to the conductor 58, this being movably associated with the extension 68 to control the opening or closing of the circuit thus described.

The construction thus far described may, in the broader aspects of the invention, be any conventional construction in which the batteries, the lamp and the circuit between the batteries and the lamp including the switch contacts for the circuit are sealed within the ashlight casing in water-tight relation. In other words, as far as the broader aspects of the invention are concerned all that is necessary is that a switch contact sealed within a watertight casing be capable of being moved to close the electrical circuit by means of a plunger projecting through a wall of the casing. In the present case that portion of the conductor 56 forwardly of the rivet 60 constitutes the movable element of the switch which is ilto be operated and this is accomplished as folows.

The wall of the main body IU adjacent its forward end is thickened as at 10 over a limited circumferential extent best indicated in Fig. 5. This thickened portion l0 is provided with a radial opening or hole 12 therethrough in forwardly spaced relation with respect to the rivet Si] and in radial alignment with the conductor 56. The hole l2 is counterbored as at 14 from its outer end thus forming an annular shoulder 'I6 within the bore intermediate the ends thereof. A plunger I8 is positioned centrally of the bore 12 and in materially spaced relation with respect to the walls thereof. The plunger 18 is provided with a disc-like head of a diameter to be relatively closely but axially slidably received in the counterbore 14. A coil spring 82 received in the counterbore portion 14 constantly acts against the head 89 of the plunger 18 to urge it in a radially outwardly direction. It will be appreciated that radially inward movement of the plunger '.'3 will force theplunger against the conductor 56 and upon suflicient force being exerted in this direction will cause the free forward end of the conductor 56 to be brought into contact with the extension 68 of the bracket 62, thereby to complete the electrical circuit through the lamp 34,

In accordance with the present invention in order to seal the space between the plunger 18 and the body portion l0 againstl the` passage of water or moisture to the interior oi the flashlight the following mechanism is provided. A resilient washer 84 of rubber or rubber-like material is arranged in surrounding and preferably contracted relation upon the plunger 18, and its peripheral margin is closely received in the counterbore 14 against the shoulder le. A metal washer 8S, of a size preferably closely iitting the counterbore 'i4 and with its central hole providn ing a material amount of clearance between it and the plunger 18, is positioned over the washer 84. The coil spring 62, where the washer 86 is employed, presses the washer 85 downwardly against the rubber washer 8d and the latter firmly against the shoulder 'i6 and at the same time tends to radially expand the washer 84 so as to rmly seal it against the bore of the counterbore lll. A similar effect is obtained where the metal washer 85 is eliminated. As will be appreciated this effects a water-tight seal between the rubber washer 84 and the body portion lil.

Where the plunger 78 is not peripherally grooved as shown, then its central opening is of a size smaller than the diameter of the plunger 18 so as to be expanded from its normal or free size by projection of the plunger 18 therethrough, thus to provide a water-tight seal between the washer 8a and the plunger 13. Preferably, however, the plunger 'i8 is provided with a peripheral groove 68 in which the margins of the rubber washer 8a surrounding the central hole therein are received. The groove $8 may be of an axial dimension less than the thickness of the rubber washer 84 so that the inner margins of the washer are compressed axially of the plunger 'i8 in being received within the groove 88, and preferably the diameter of the grooved portion of the plunger 'I8 is slightly larger than the free diameter of the hole in the washer 84, thus to provide a maximum sealing effect between the washer 8d and the plunger 18.

The washer 811 being formed of readily yieldable and resilient material and being sealed both to the main body iii and the plunger i8, it will be appreciated that it forms an eective seal between the plunger 'i8 and the main body lil preventing the passage of moisture and/or water between it and the main body l0 from the eX- terior` to the interior of the flashlight casing. Furthermore, the washer being radially unsupported intermediate its inner and outer margins, its central portion is capable of being flexed axially with respect to its peripheral margins so that it does not provide any undue resistance to movement of the plunger 'i8 required to operate the switch mechanism for the flashlight.

While the mechanism thus far described is sufficient to permit opening and closingyof the circuit to the lamp bulb 34 from the outside of the casing without danger of moisture finding its way between the plunger 'I8 and the body portion l0, particularly if means are provided for limiting undesirable outward movement of the plunger 'i8 under the influence of the spring 82, additional means are preferably employed for enabling the selective operation of the plunger 18 either to momentarily hold the switch contacts in closed position, hold them in closed position for any desired period of time, or to prevent operation of the plunger i8. The mechanism provided for this purpose will now be described.

An inverted pan-like member Sii formed from sheet metal and having an outwardly directed peripheral margin or flange 92 is positioned over the thickened portion l@ and is secured thereto by means of screws at projected through its end portion and threaded preferably into metallic nuts 95 molded into the thickened portion iii. The part 9i] is centrally provided in its top wall with a longitudinally extending slot 95. Confined under the member Si) and between the member et and the head 8i! of the plunger 'I8 is an operating member indicated generally at I0@ provided with an upward projection forming a thumbpiece 2&2 which projects up through the slot et. The thumbpiece H32 is of less length, longitudinally of the flashlight, than the slot 9E so that it may be moved longitudinally of the slot it thereby to move the element lim. It will be appreciated that the member QE! acting through the element mi) limits outward projection of the plunger l'i under the force of the spring 82. The top wall of the member QM rearwardly of the rear end of the slot Sii is depressed to form an inward projection ihfl and the upper face of the operating element ih@ is provided with a complementary groove itt therein in such position that it interfits with the projection ma, under the force of the spring 82, when the operating element it is at its extreme position. to the rear of the slot d@ as shown in full lines in Figs, 1 and 2.

The interengagement of the projection iM and the groove lil thus resiliently locks the member in the corresponding position.

The operating element liti! is provided on its bottom face with a downward projection |98 adjacent its forward end and a similar projection ii adjacent its rear end. When the operating element itil is in the position illustrated in full lines in Figs. l and 2 any attempt to depress the operating element it@ radially inwardly by pressure on the thumbpiece N52 will bring the projections idl and il@ into contact with the upper face of the body it before the plunger 'i8 can be depressed suiciently to cause the free forward end of the conductor strip 55 to contact the eX- tension 68 and close the circuit to the flashlight. Thus when the operating element las is in the position described it is impossible to close the circuit of the flashlight by inward pressure applied to the thumbpiece HB2.

Forwardly of the projection il@ the operating element lili) is provided on its lower face with a boss or pimDle H2. rEhe head 8i] of the plunger 'i8 is centrally provided in its upper face with a depression lll. If the operating member H30 is operated, through the thuinbpiece m2, forwardly from the position illustrated in full lines in Fig. 2 to the position illustrated in dotted lines in that figure, the pimple H2 will be brought into alignment with the depression IM, the plunger 'i8 yielding against the force of the spring 82 as the pimple H2 rides over the head til of the plunger 'lil to bring it to such position. This is the position for operating the switch by direct inward pressure on the thumbpiece m2. To permit this to be done without interference between the projections lt and lli) on the bottom face of the operating element lill with the upper Vface of the thickened portion 'lli of the main body lil, such upper face of the thickened portion 'l0 is provided with a groove or depression |20 in vertical alignment with the projection |08 when in the last-mentioned position and a groove or depression i2?. in line with the projection ||0 when in the last-mentioned position. These grooves or depressions |23 and |22 provide sufficient space or clearance for reception of the projections |08 and i to permit the plunger 'I8 to be actuated by downward pressure on the operating element applied to the thumbpiece |02 to bring the forward free end of the conductor 56 into contact with the extension |58 of the bracket 62.

Ii it is desired to close the circuit to the flashlight without applying and maintaining downvard pressure on the thumbpiece H12, then the thumopiece V32 is actuated to move the operating element |65! to its extreme forward position in which the thumbpieoe |62 abuts the forward end of the slot SB, as illustrated in Fig. 3. In this position of the parts the projection ||2 on the rear end of the operating element rides up on the head S9 of the plunger 18 rand causes it to be depressed suioiently to move the conductor eiement 56 into contact with the extension 68, thereby to close the circuit through the bulb 34, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

It will be appreciated, and as particularly brought out in Fig. 3, that when the plunger T8 is depressed to close the circuit for the ilashlight as above described the sealing washer 84 will yield to permit such movement but without affecting the seal between the plunger 7S and the body I0 in any respect whatever. The construction thus provides a simple and effective means whereby the passage through the body for the plunger 'I8 is vrendered waterproof, and where such construction is employed in a ilashlight of the type shown including a waterproof casing within which all of the electrical connections, contacts and elements are located, submersion in water will have no eiiect on the operativeness of the device.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim by Letters Patent is:

1. In a ashlight having a casing provided with an opening therethrough and otherwise sealed against the entrance of water and a movable switch element positioned within said casing, means for actuating said switch element through said opening, said means comprising a switchactua-ting member extending from the exterior of said casing axially through said opening and into operative engagement with said switch element. a flexible resilient washer-like element of water i ipervious material positioned 'within said opening and having its outer margin in sealing engagement with the internal walls of said opening and its inner periphery surrounding and in sealing engagement with said actuating member to thereby seal said opening, at least the outer portion of said opening being of substantially the same size as the outer periphery of said washer-like element to provide for ready insertion of said washer-like element into sealing position in said opening, said actuating member being radially spaced from said inner walls of said opening adjacent said flexible element to provide for axial distortion or" said ilexible element and for axial movement oi actuating member to operate said switch element.

2. n a flashlight having a casing provided with an opening therethrough and otherwise sealed against the entrance of water and a movable switch element positioned within said casing, means for actuating said switch element through said opening and for sealing said opening, said means comprising a switch-actuating plunger extending from the exterior` of said casing axially through said opening and into operative engagement with said switch element, and a flexible resilient washer-like element of water impervious material positioned within said opening and having its outer margin in engagement with the external walls of said opening and its inner periphery contractably surrounding said actuating member to seal said opening, means within said opening to hold said margin in sealing engagement with said Ainternal walls, said actuating member being radially spaced from said inner walls of said opening adjacent said ilexible element to provide for axial distortion of said Ilexible element and for axial movement of said actuating member to operate said switch element.

3. In a flashlight having a casing provided with a thickened wall portion having a bore therethrough, said casing being otherwise sealed against the entrance of water, and a movable switch element positioned within said casing, means for actua-ting said switch element through said bore and l'or sealing said bore, said means comprising a plunger extending from the exterior of said casing through said bore into operative engagement with said switch element, said bore having an inner portion adjacent the interior of said casing of smaller diameter than an outer portion of said bore adjacent the exterior of said casing to provide an outwardly directed shoulder in said bore between said portions, a Flexible resilient washer-like element of water impervious material positioned within the outer portion of said bore and having its outer margin resting on said shoulder, means within said here Vfor pressing said outerfmargin against said shoulder to seal said flexible element to the walls of said bore, said flexible element having its inner periphery surrounding said plunger in sealing engagement therewith to thereby seal said opening, said plunger being of smaller diameter than said inner portion of said bore adjaoentsaid shoulder to provide for axial-'distortion of said flexible member and for axial movement of said plunger through said bore to operate said switch element.

4. ln a flashlight having a casing provided with a thickened wall portion having a. bore therethrough, said casing being otherwise sealed against the entrance of water, and a movable switch element positioned within said casing, means for actuating said switch element through said bore and for sealing said bore, said means comprising a plunger extending from the exterior of said casing through said bore into 0perative engagement with said switch element, said bore having an inner-portion adjacent the interior of seid casing of smaller diameter than an outer por on of said bore adjacent the exterior of said casing to provide an outwardly directed shoulder in said bore between said portions, a ilexible resilient washer-like element of water impervious material positioned within the outer portion of said bore and having its outer margin resting on said shoulder, means within said bore for pressing said outer margin against said shoulder t seal said ilexible element to the walls of said bore, said plunger having a head slidably engaging in the outer portion of said bore and a. shank portion of smaller diameter than said head extending through said inner portion of Vsaid bore, said flexible element having its inner periphery contractably engaging the shank portion of said plunger to thereby seal said bore, the shank portion of said plunger being substantially smaller in diameter than the inner portion of said bore to provide for axial disto-rtion of said flexible member and for axial movement of said plunger to operate said switch element.

5. In a flashlight having a casing provided with a thickened wall portion having a bore therethrough, said casing being otherwise sealed against the entrance of water, and a movable switch element positioned within said casing, means for actuating said switch element through said bore and for sealing said bore, said means comprising a plunger extending from the exterior of said casing through said bore into operative engagement with said switch element, said bore having an inner portion adjacent the interior of said casing of smaller diameter than an outer portion of said bore adjacent the exterior of said casing to provide an outwardly directed shoulder in said bore between said portions, a ilexible resilient washer-like element of Water impervious material positioned within the outer portion of said bore and having its outer margin resting on said shoulder, said plunger having a head slidably engaging in the outer portion of said bore and a shank portion of smaller diameter than said head extending through said inner portion of said bore, a spring positioned within said bore between said head and the outer margin of said ilexible element, means for holding said head in the outer portion of said bore to compress said spring and resiliently press said outer margin of said flexible element against said shoulder to seal said flexible element to the walls of said bore, said exible element having its inner periphery contractably engaging the shank portion of said plunger to thereby seal said bore, the shank portion of said plunger being substantially smaller in diameter than the inner portion of said bore to provide for axial distortion of said flexible member and for axial movement of said plunger to operate said switch element.

6.- In a iiashlight having a casing provided with a thickened wall portion having a bore therethrough, said casing being otherwise sealed against the entrance of water, and a movable 10 switch element positioned within said casing, means for actuating said switch element through said bore and for sealing said bore, said means comprising a plunger extending from the exterior of said casing through said bore into operative engagement with said switch element, said bore having an inner portion adjacent the interior of said casing of smaller diameter than an outer portion of said bore adjacent the exterior of said casing to provide an outwardly directed shoulder in said bore between said portions, a flexible resilient washer-like element of water impervious material positioned within the outer portion of said bore and having its outer margin resting on said shoulder, said plunger having a head slidably engaging in the outer portion of said bore and a shank portion of smaller diameter than said head extending through said inner portion of said bore, a spring positioned within said bore between said head and the outer margin of said exible element, plunger actuating means movable longitudinally of said casing and holding said head in the outer portion of said bore to compress said spring and resiliently press said outer margin of said flexible element against said shoulder to seal said exible element against the internal walls of said bore, the shank of said plunger having an annulai` groove therein, said iiexible element having its inner periphery contractably engaged in said groove to thereby seal said bore, the shank portion of said plunger being substantially smaller in diameter than the inner portion of said bore to provide for axial distortion of said flexible element and for axial movement of said plunger to operate said switch element.

WILLIAM C. CRIMMINS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,107,646 Benedict Aug. 18, 1914 1,874,788 Moran Aug. 30, 1932 1,996,891 Van Valkenburg Apr. 9, 1935 2,309,402 kKorngold Jan. 26, 1943 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,420,585. May 13, 1947. WILLAM C. CRIMMINS It is hereby certied that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Column 1, line 8, after the word affected insert by moisture, as by, for instance, submersing the; line 10, strike out by moisture, as by for instance submersing the; column 2, line 14, for sy before the Word possible read ris; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 19th day of August, A. D. 1947.

[SEAL] LESLIE FRAZER, y

First Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,420,585. y May 13, 1947. WLLIAM C. CRIMMINS It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent vrequiring correction as follows: Column l, line 8, after the word affected insert by moisture, asV by, for instance, sabmersing the; line 10, strike out by moisture, as by for instance submersing the; column 2, line 14, for s before the Word possible reed is; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the ease in the Patent ice.

Signed and sealed this 19th day of August, A. D. 1947.

[SEAL] LESLIE FRAZER,

First Assistant Gommzssoner of Patents'. 

